Side frame with equalizing journal boxes



w. RECHARDS 1,865,589

SIDE FRAME WITH EQUALIZING JOURNAL BOXES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 5, 1932.

Filed June 1, 1927 July 5, 1932. w. F. RICHARDS SIDE FRAME WITH EQUALIZING JOURNAL BOXES Filed June 1. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l6 1: 6 J /3 31m" oz J6 6/ it If Patented July 5, 1932 warren STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLARD F. 'RICHARDS, OF DEPEW, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR- TO THE SYMINGTON GOM- PANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND SIDE FRAME VJITI-I EQUALIZING JOURNAL BOXES Application filed June 1, 1927. Serial No. 195,844.

This invention relates to side frames and journal boxes for railway car trucks and, more particularly, to such frames providing jaws receiving journal boxes, said jaws and boxes being formed for permitting equalization therebetween.

The principal object of my invention, genorally'considered, is to provide a journal boX formed as upper and lower halves adapted to 1gb: connected together and mounted in a correspondingly shaped jaw at an end of an associated frame, the engaging surfaces between said aw and box being curved for per mitting transverse equalization of the box, roller bearings being preferably provided in the box for minimizing friction between the same and an associated journal, the outer end of said box being provided with a thrust bearing for limiting axial motion of the journal, a cap for said box being provided to which said bearing is connected, said cap having a;

lubricant containing cavity adapted to feed lubricant to the associated end of the journal.

An object of my invention is the provision 22 0f a journal box formed as two halves and provided with convex portions embraced between the concave under side of the end of an associated frame and a strap portion resiliently held therebeneath, whereby transverse cc equalization of the box is permitted.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a journal box adapted to receive an associated car journal of the type unprovid ed with an end collar and formed with a cap 3 I to the inner side of which is attached a thrust bearing engaging the end of the journal and limiting axial motion thereof, and selfcontained means in said cap for lubricating said bearing. v

I A further object of my invention is the provision of a journal box formed as two halves adapted to be connected and provided with closure means for the outer end thereof, said closure means being received between the halves of the box and containing an oil receptacle adapted for supplying lubricant to the end of an associated journal.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a roller bearing journal box 59 formed as two halves adapted for connection to the end of a aw type frame by means of a hinged clamp extending therebeneath, said box being readily entirely removed by dropping or swinging said clamp downwardly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will be come apparent as the description proceeds. Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the the appended claims:

igure 1 is a side elevation of an endportion of a side frame for railway car trucks J journalbox in ele'vation of the arrows, a portion of the associated thrust bearing being shown in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, I have shown a frame 1 which may be of generally conventional construction except i that the ends thereof are modified for receiv- 1ng two-p1ece journal boxes 2 or such journal boxes involving upper sections3and lower sections 4:.

In the present embodiment, the sections 3 and 4 of each box are formed for receiving roller bearings 5 therein but it is obvious that certain advantages of my invention may be secured without employingv such bearings. For that purpose, the sections of the box, when assembled, are'generally cylindrical on their interior and adapted to receive a bushing 6 snugly engaging the inner surface thereof. The associated journal 7 is, in the present embodiment, of a type lacking the usual integral end collar, whereby it is adapted to receive a corresponding bushing 8 held in place by means of an annular member 9 engaging in a slightly tapered groove at the end thereof. Between the bushings 6 and 8, the roller means 11 of conventional character may be provided. For retaining the roller means in place, the same may be positioned between the rings or annular devices 12 and 13 substantially closing the annular space between the bushings 6 and 8 at each end thereof.

The journal box 2 may be provided with a cap or lid member 14 closing the outer end thereof, said member being formed with a groove or recess 15 between the outer peripheral flange 16 thereof and the inner peripheral flange 17, said groove receiving the inwardly extending flange 18 on the journal box 2, packing means 19 being desirably provided in said groove 15 and engaged by said flange. Said packing means is desirably retained in place by having the ends thereof bent inwardly and extending into the axial aperture 20 in the lid or cap 14 as shown in Figure 1.

The inner side of said cap 14 is formed with a cylindrical depression 21 receiving a thrust bearing block 22 desirably connected thereto by means of a ta-p bolt 23 extending through the cap 14 and threadably engaging the block 22. Said bearing block 22 is formed with a lubricating passage 24 receiving a wick or other capillary lubricating means 25, one end of said wick being adapted to extend into oil or other lubricant 26 received in a pocket 27 in the cap 14 and the other end being adapted to engage the outer end of the journal 7 for lubricating the same. The lubricant 26 is adapted to be replenished through an aperture 28 inthe outer wall of the cap 14, said aperture being normally closed by a threaded plug or the like 29. In order to maintain the oil 26 at the proper level, as well as facilitate application of oil to the roller bearing 5, an overflow aperture 30 is provided in the thrust bearing block 22. Inas much as said bearing block forms part of the inner wall of the oil containing cavity 27, a tight fit between said block and cap is provided.

In order to prevent incorrect assembly of the lid or cap 14 with respect to the box 2, said cap is formed with a plurality of notches 31 adapted to receive inwardly extending rib portions 32 on the box and the bearing block 22 is likewise provided with notches 33 receiving corresponding ribs 34 on the cap 14. It will be apparent that, when the ribs 32 and 34 are properly engaged in the notches 31 and 33, the'parts are maintained in proper angular relation with respect to each other, whereby the lubricating passage 24 extends downwardly for proper lubrication of the thrust bearing and. the end of the associated journal. The inner opening through the dust guard well 35 receiving the journal 7 may be sealed in any usual or desired manner as by means of a dust guard or packing 36.

The two halves of the journal box 4 are preferably held together by means of bolts 37 extending through registering ears 38 on opposite sides of the sections 3 and 4, said bolts being preferably headed at one end and having lock washers 39 and nuts 40 applied to the other end thereof. The assembled box is then desirably connected to the associated frame 1 by means of a strap, bail or clamping portion 41 extending beneath the lower section 4 of the box, with shoulders 41 engaging cooperatively formed lips 4 on said lower section, and urging said section against the upper section 3 and both into proper engagement with the frame 1 in the jaw portion 42 thereof, while at the same time preventing rotation of the box. The inner side of the jaw portion 42 of the frame is preferably provided with a plurality of longitudinal webs or gussets 43 between the same and the tension member 44 of the frame, and the bail or strap portion 41 is pivotally mounted on said gusset portions 43 by a transverse bolt or the like 45 extending through registering apertures therein and corresponding apertures in the ear or hinge lu-g portions 46 on the strap 41.

A flange or web 47 is preferably formed between the side walls of the frame 1 providing a pocket 48 adapted to receive re silient means 49 for holding the bail 41 in proper position beneath the journal box 2. The free or swinging edge of said bail 41 is formed with outstanding lugs or ears 50 perforated for the reception of a bolt or pin 51. Said bolt is adapted for connection with the resilient means 49 and particularly the keeper or perforated head portion 52 thereof. Extending upwardly from the keeper portion 52 is a threaded extension or bolt portion 53 passing through an aperture in the web 47 and surrounded above said web by a preferably helical spring 54 and supplied with a lock-nut 55 at its upper end. The side walls of the frame, adjacent the lock nut 55, are preferably provided with inward extensions 56 which come so close to the lock nut 55 that they prevent appreciable turning thereof and thereby lock the same in position after assembly. After connecting the bolt 51 with the resilient means 49, the same may be locked in position by means of a cotter or the like 57.

In order to permit equalization or lateral adjustment between the box and frame, as well as the associated strap portion 41, those portions or surfaces 58 of said box, engaging the frame and strap, are preferably curved laterally as well as circumferentially of the box, said curvature, in the present em bodiment, being convex and substantially coaxial with respect to the journal. The engagingv surfaces 59 and 60 on the frame and strap,

respectively, are correspondingly concavely curved, as indicated, and the angling or equalizing motion of said box is preferably limited by forming flanges or ribs 61 defining the outer edges of the curved portion 58. It will be appreciated that, on account of this construction, a limited but adequate amount of angling between the box and frame for normal equalizing purposes is permitted.

A preferred method of assembling the box with respect to the frame is as follows. After the journal has had the bushing 8 applied thereof, and the box has had the bushing 6 applied thereto, the rollers and associated parts being assembled, the cap or lid with its thrust bearing being held between the halves of the box heretofore described, said halves may be securely connected together by means of the bolts, washers and nuts, 37, 39 and 40, respectively. Said journal box and associated journal are then connected with respect to the frame by first pivotally mounting the inner end of the bail or strap 41 on the frame by means of the pivot pin or bolt 45, whereby said strap is adapted for movement to operative or inoperative positions. The resilient means 49 is then connected to the frame by first inserting the extension or bolt portion 53 through the apertured web 47 of the frame, applying the spring 54 thereof and the nut 55 thereon, said nut being tightened to the requisite degree by turning the keeper or head portion 52 rather than by turning the nut, said nut being held in position between the extensions 56 on the frame.

It will be noted that the keeper or head portion 52 is formed with an aperture or eye 62 adjacent its lower end and the outer edge of the lower portion 4 of the box is formed with an outstanding lip or rib 63, the purpose of which is to facilitate the insertion of the bolt or pin 51. The free end of the strap, after swinging the same beneath the box 2, may be retained in position by inserting a piece of pipe or other lever means (not shown) through the aperture 62 beneath the flange 63, whereby sufficient leverage is obtained to stress the spring 54 until the trans verse aperture in the keeper 52 is substantially alined with the corresponding aperture in the ears 50 on the strap 41 when the bolt 51 is inserted to the position indicated in Figure 2. After application of said bolt, the lever means may be removed, releasing the spring 54 and permitting the strap portion 41 to be resiliently held in position for supporting both sections 3 and 4 of the box in the jaw portion 42 of the frame. The bolt may then be prevented from undesired re moval by means of the retaining device 57 hereinbefore referred to.

From a consideration of the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have invented a journal box particularly adapted for use with roller bearings and providing an efficiently lubricated thrust bearing for limiting axial movement of the associated journal. The journal box, by being formed in two halves, is adapted to readily receive the cap or lid thereof as well as the parts of the roller bearing. On account of resiliently holding the box in place by means of a readily releasable strap or bail portion, the box, as an entirely, may be readily removed by merely dropping the hinged clamp. Adequate equalization of the box with respect to the frame is provided by forming the engaging surfaces between said box and the associated frame and hinged clamp coaxial with respect to the journal, whereby more uniform pressure between said journal and bearing is secured.

Having now described my invention, 1 claim: V

1. In combination, a side frame having a jaw at each end thereof, journal boxes re ceived in said jaws, and means extending therebeneath for resiliently holding said journal boxes in said jaws, the engaging surfaces between said jaws and journal boxes permitting equalizing of the boxes.

. 2. In combination, a side frame having a jaw at each end thereof, ournal boxes formed as upper and lower parts with the upper parts received in said jaws, and means extending beneath the lower parts for resiliently holdng the same in place, said jaws and hold mg means, together with the engaging surfaces between the same and the parts of the journal boxes, formed for permitting motion therebetween allowing equalization of the boxes.

3. In combination, a side frame formed with a ournal box receiving cavity at an end thereof, a journal box associated therewith and formed as an upper half seated in said cavity and a lower half positioned therebeneath, a strap portion pivoted to said frame and formed with a cavity receiving the lower half of said box, the free edge of said strap being resiliently urged toward the frame for holding said lower half against the upper half and both in proper relation with respect to said frame, the engaging surfaces between the frame, strap and the associated parts of the box being substantially concentric with the center of the box for permitting equalizing motion between said box and frame.

In combination, a side frame having a jaw at each end thereof, journal boxes recelved in said jaws and formed with curved bearing portions engaging correspondingly curved portions on the frame for permitting equallzing movement therebetween, and means extending beneath said boxes for resiliently holding the same in place.

5. In combination, a side frame, the ends of said frame being provided with recesses, upper sections of journal boxes positioned in said recesses, lower sections disposed therebeneath, and means resiliently holding said lower sections against said upper sections for securing the latter in place with respect to the frame, the engaging surfaces between said frame, holding means and sections of the boxes being concentrically curved for permitting equalizing motion of said boxes.

6. In combination, a side frame formed with journal box receiving jaws at each end thereof, journal boxes formed in two parts received in said jaws, the upper parts being embraced between portions of the jaws and held in position by means of the lower parts, said lower parts being received in holding means pivotally mounted on the frame, and means for forcing the free ends of said holding means upwardly against said boxes, the engaging surfaces between the frame, holding means and boxes being concentrically curved for permitting equalizing motion of the boxes.

7. In combination, a side frame formed,

with a journal box receiving cavity at an end thereof, a journal box fitting therein, a connecting portion pivoted to said frame and formed with a cavity receiving the lower portion of said box, and means resiliently urging the free end of said connecting portion toward the frame for holding the box in proper relation with respect thereto, the engaging surfaces between the frame, connecting portion and box being substantially concentric for permitting equalizing motion between said box and frame.

8. In combination, a side frame, the ends of which are provided with recesses, journal boxes associated therewith and having their upper portions received in said recesses, and means resiliently holding said boxes in place with respect to the frame, the engaging surfaces between said frame, holding means and boxes being concentrically curved to permit equalizing motion of the boxes.

9. In combination, a side frame formed with journal box receiving pockets at each end thereof, journal boxes received in said pockets, holding means pivotally mounted on said frame, and means for forcing the free ends of said holding means upwardly against said boxes, the engaging surfaces on the frame, holding means and boxes being substantially concentric to permit equalizing of said boxes.

10. In combination, a side frame having a notch in an end thereof, a journal box fitting in said notch, a member fastened to said frame and formed with a notch receiving the lower portion of said box and adapted to embrace the box and close the notch in said frame, the engaging surfaces between the frame and box being approximately concentric for permitting equalizing motion of the box with respect to the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLARD F. RICHARDS. 

